11 December 2019, Madrid, Spain - Papua New Guinea made world history being the first victim of climate change, losing Cataret islands to rising sea levels.
At the High Level Segment of the Twenty-fifth Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Madrid, Spain today, Papua New Guinea reaffirmed its commitment to lower its carbon footprint and work closely with all Parties to address climate change.
“Under the Paris Agreement, developed countries are expected to provide developing states with financial and logistical support to address climate change. Pacific nations bear little historical responsibility for climate change but are disproportionately affected by the impacts,” stated the Hon. Wera Mori, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change of Papua New Guinea.
“For this reason, Papua New Guinea would like to see that the application of rules and methodologies are closely aligned to our Social Integrity that includes Human Rights which we strongly believe is the important basis for ensuring environmental integrity, as well as addressing the rights of our people.”
Papua New Guinea has demonstrated its serious commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and has submitted its first Biennial Updated Report and its REDD+ Annex earlier this year. There are also plans to revise their Nationally Determined Contribution before the end of 2020 and start preparation on its Biennial Transparency Report for 2024.
Article 6 – Markets and Non-Market mechanisms is one agenda item the Pacific islands have key asks at the COP25 in Madrid, Spain this year for which Papua New Guinea shared their call before world leaders.
“Papua New Guinea, aligns itself with like-minded parties and groups to support and ensure that a share of proceeds (SOP) to accrue from all projects and activities in both Article 6.2 and 6.4 to go towards the Adaptation Fund, and the role of finance in the implementation of Article 6 on Markets and Non-Markets amongst the other operational articles is highly important,” presented the Minister.
“This is integral to our overall efforts to cut emissions in the various carbon intensive sectors nationally, and in turn contribute to reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Pacific island nation is also home to the third largest rainforest in the world, committed to conserving its rainforests, one of the largest lungs of the earth and a key part of reducing carbon emissions as a global carbon sink that saves lives.
Today Papua New Guinea told world leaders it welcomes new development partners saying together innovative solutions can be pioneered to combat climate change while ensuring sustainable development.
“We must be sincere to our commitments and make that paradigm shift from just talking to real tangible actions on addressing our common climate change challenge.”
Hon. Wera Mori, Minister for Environment, Conservation and Climate Change of Papua New Guinea spoke on day two of the High Level Segment at the UNFCCC COP25 in Madrid, Spain. The High Level Segment is held on 10 to 11 December, 2019. UNFCCC COP25 is held from 2 to 13 December, 2019.